Scott seeks boost from education

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is banking on education as a political ladder to help him climb above some of the lowest popularity ratings ever recorded for a state politician.

After building an antagonistic relationship with public schools and their teachers during his first two years in office, Scott was a teacher’s pet on Wednesday as he outlined his priorities heading into his third legislative session. Scott not only proposed a $1.2 billion increase in funding for schools and a pay hike for all school teachers, he effusively praised teachers for their work.

“I can think of no better place to make such a major investment than our Florida teachers and the future workforce they educate every day,” Scott told reporters at the annual AP Florida Legislative Planning Session. “Teachers change lives. They shape young minds and cultivate our workforce.”

Scott refused to dive into specifics of his budget plan, saying he will provide the details Thursday.

It’s a major contrast to the last two years, when Scott seemingly burned his bridges to educators. In 2011 he cut education funding by $1.3 billion and backed proposals to tie teacher pay partially to test scores of their students, measures strongly opposed by most teachers. At the same time, Scott successfully forced teachers and others in the state pension program to pay 3 percent of their salaries toward their retirement plans.

History shows that few issues in Florida are as influential in elections than education. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s education reform program was a key element in his tenure, and former Gov. Charlie Crist, once the state education commissioner, became a virtual hero to teachers for vetoing the legislation to tie teacher pay raises to test scores when he was in office.

It’s not just because teachers and their unions are influential in Florida politics. Education concerns a wide constituency, from parents to business leaders who worry about the future workforce.

Scott has tried to morph his well-known jobs creation agenda into one that encompasses education as a key component.

“So my two top priorities are jobs and education and they are directly connected,” Scott said.

The education emphasis could be key to reversing the lowest public approval ratings of a Florida governor in the last 20 years. Polling has consistently shown that only about one-third of voters approve of Scott’s job performance, including a survey by Public Policy Polling earlier this month. His numbers have remained low even as the state’s economy has improved.

Scott doesn’t have much time to make his case. The next four months are essential. Florida’s Legislature meets only until May and Scott needs lawmakers to agree to a budget with the education elements he outlined on Wednesday. By this summer, the 2014 election season will be practically underway, as candidates raise money and build political campaign staffs. If Scott’s approval rating is still in the 30-percent range, he will be considered even more vulnerable, creating increasing concern within his own party.

Already polls show Scott losing in a potential head-to-head battle with Crist, now a Democrat who is considered a potential 2014 challenger.

But getting the Legislature on his side is easier said than done, even though the House and Senate are led by Republicans like Scott. Already legislators are showing some hesitancy and questioning how they would pay for the $1.2 billion increase in school funding.

Speaking to reporters after Scott, House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said the state doesn’t have a surplus to pay for the increase and that other parts of the budget would have to be cut to accommodate it. Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said they would like to provide more funding for schools but will have to evaluate Scott’s proposal and the state’s budget outlook before committing.

While Scott’s approach to education policy seems to be evolving, the former hospital company CEO refused to consider his past moves — specifically the 2011 budget cuts — mistakes. He said the moves were dictated by economic necessity.

“We had to make tough choices in order to get our state back on track when I came into office,” Scott said. “Now we are in a position to strategically invest in statewide priorities that will encourage job creation and economic growth for generations to come.”

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: January 30, 2013
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